Compare towns
South Hero vs Danby vs Putney
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
South Hero has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.6%).
Danby has the most affordable homes ($272k median).
Putney has the youngest population (median age 37.2).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | South Hero | Danby | Putney |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,586 |
1,133Lowest |
2,622Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.1% VT: +2.8% |
-3.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.5±4.8 19% above VT |
52.6±4.8Highest 22% above VT |
37.2±5.2Lowest 14% below VT |
| Danby and South Hero are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14.8%±3.3 VT: 17.9% |
14.6%±3.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
15.4%±4.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Putney and South Hero are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.5%±2.5Highest VT: 21.4% |
24.3%±2.6 VT: 21.4% |
18.1%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| South Hero and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 61.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
34.8%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.6% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.2Lowest VT: 7% |
2.5%±1.9Lowest VT: 7% |
20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $127,434±$15kHighest 57% above VT |
$77,321±$13kLowest 5% below VT |
$79,706±$18k about the VT average |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $558,300±$46kHighest 76% above VT |
$272,400±$41kLowest 14% below VT |
$300,000±$44k 5% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,439±$221Highest 17% above VT |
$794±$166 36% below VT |
$508±$482Lowest 59% below VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,858Highest 56% above VT |
$4,543Lowest 10% below VT |
$5,313 5% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 32.6%±21Lowest VT: 48.4% |
41.4%±34.6 VT: 48.4% |
54.2%±19.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Putney and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.5%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
9.4% VT: 10.1% |
16%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.1% VT: 73.2% |
89.3%Highest VT: 73.2% |
72.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1985Highest 9 yrs newer than VT |
1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
1977Lowest 1 yr newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 24 min 4% above VT |
30 minHighest 26% above VT |
18 minLowest 24% below VT |
| Work from home | 26.3%±8.3Highest VT: 16.9% |
12.1%±5.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
| South Hero and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | — | — | #32 of 70 in VT |
| School district | South Hero School District | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | None yet |
VT average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.